Pep Guardiola v Jose Mourinho

Chelsea are looking to Spain for their next manager after sacking Andre Villas-Boas

With that in mind we felt our only option was to make a change at this time

A statement

But Blues legend Mourinho will insist the club sell Fernando Torres before returning to Stamford Bridge.

Roman Abramovich wants Barca boss Guardiola to replace rookie manager Villas-Boas, who he made a huge mistake in appointing.

Chelsea’s first-ever Premier League defeat to West Brom was the final nail in the Portuguese manager’s coffin – despite the Russian tycoon splashing out £13m to recruit him last summer.

Roberto Di Matteo has been given the job of leading the club until the end of the season, when Abramovich will aim to bring stability to the club. Guardiola has let it be known privately that he is reluctant to move to London.

He is not interested in the political games which are usually played at Chelsea after being given such a free reign at Barca.

But Abramovich has made the Spanish star manager his No.1 target as he seeks to win the Champions League.

If Guardiola can’t be lured to Stamford Bridge this summer, then Abramovich will turn again to Mourinho, who is a legend at the club. He plans to quit Real Madrid for a return to England at the end of the season.

He was sacked by Chelsea in 2007 because of his testy relationship with the misfiring Andrey Shevchenko, who was signed by the Russian owner.

He does not want the same thing to happen with Torres, who has not scored in the league since September last year and is part of the reason why Villas-Boas has been sacked. So, he will tell Abramovich that the £50m Spanish striker must go and that he must be given complete control over transfers.

Though Mourinho has said he wants to come back, he is not in line for the England job, with the FA keen to distance themselves from any interest in him to succeed Fabio Capello.

Villas-Boas took training as usual yesterday, unaware that Abramovich had flown in from Russia, where elections are taking place, to sack him in person.

Villas-Boas was given the news at around 1pm. His position has been rocky ever since his side lost 3-1 to Napoli in the last 16 of the Champions League.

With Chelsea in fifth place, three points behind Arsenal, the club are worried about failing to qualify for the Champions League next season.

A statement from Villa-Boas has parted company with Chelsea. The board would like to record our gratitude for his work and express our disappointment that the relationship has ended so early.

“Unfortunately the results and performances of the team have not been good enough and were showing no signs of improving at a key time in the season.

“The club is still competing in the Champions League and the FA Cup, as well as challenging for a top-four spot in the Premier League, and we aim to remain competitive on all fronts.

“With that in mind we felt our only option was to make a change at this time.”

Last night Chelsea star Juan Mata said: “It hasn’t been an easy day for those who, like me, are part of Chelsea. I would like to thank the manager and wish him luck. We have to keep working hard and better days will come.”